It's known as 'The Science of Life, Illness Prevention and Longevity'. But have you ever heard of Ayurvedic Medicine? You'd be forgiven for not knowing anything about it, for until about ten years ago practically no one else in the western world had either! Since then, public figures and physicians such as Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Robert Svoboda have brought the science to our attention, where now, it's even recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective, traditional health treatment.

And it's not a young science by any means. Ayurvedic Medicine's widely believed to have originated in India about five thousand years ago, making it the world's oldest holistic healing science! Even today, it's still in daily use alongside western medicine in India's hospitals, clinics, and private practices, both in remote villages and inner cities. So it's not to be taken as a lightweight, esoteric science. The training in India includes a comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems and treatment strategies. And students there must undergo a lengthy 5-year post-graduate degree (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) before eventually emerging as a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

But what's it all about? Well, it's based upon the concept that we are all different. What may be medicinal for one person may be detrimental to another. And that although there are as many unique constitutions as there are human beings, we all fall into one of three main types. These categories (or doshas) are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha respectively - roughly translated as Air, Fire, and Water/Earth.

“...and this soothing caress of your ‘third eye’ has a reflex-balancing effect on your brain.”

The word dosha literally means 'fault'. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are positive forces in your body but they are also faults, because they are liable to change. They can increase or decrease to unhealthy levels when they are out of balance, leaving you susceptible to disease. But there are ways to bring an imbalanced dosha back into balance through diet, lifestyle and herbal supplements. And this is where Ayurvedic medicine comes in!

One of the most popular Ayurvedic treatments is called Shirodhara. This involves you laying down on your back, as a continuous stream of warm oil is poured onto the middle of your forehead. The soothing caress of your 'third eye' has a reflex-balancing effect on your brain, and improves the health of many patients suffering from a wide variety of disorders, ranging from sinusitis through to epilepsy. An added bonus is that it also helps strengthen your 'ojas' - the essence of vitality, virility, fertility and longevity!

Several of our recommended spas offer Ayurvedic treatments (see sample menus), and a visit to them will introduce you to this exciting, and painless, natural medicine. You'll leave with a greater understanding of your own body's needs, and how to treat it!